Natural England

Following the signing of a memorandum of agreement by the Isle of Wight Council and the Countryside Agency, the Isle of Wight AONB Partnership was formed in April 2002.  The Partnership represents a broad range of interests from many organisations with a role to play in the conservation and enhancement of the AONB.  It is composed of a Steering Committee (with representatives of the two core funders, a Chairman and individual special interest portfolio holders), an Advisory Group of key stakeholders and an Open Forum of individuals and organisations with a broad interest in the Partnership's work.  Additionally there are a number of Work Groups convened to consider, discuss and obtain a Partnership view on areas of specific interest, such as the Management Plan review, project work and planning matters.

The AONB Unit, (consisting of an AONB Officer, an AONB Planning and Information Officer and an AONB Assistant) is the staff arm of the Partnership, and is hosted by the Isle of Wight Council.  To find out more about the work of the Partnership and the AONB visit their website www.wightaonb.org.uk

In 2004, the Partnership produced a new AONB Management Plan to meet the requirements of the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000.  An electronic copy of the plan can be downloaded from the Partnership's website.

Statutory policies      

The statutory planning policies relating to the AONB are contained in the Isle of Wight Unitary Development Plan (UDP).  This plan contains policies for the protection of the character of the countryside and coast and a specific policy relating to the AONB and Heritage Coast, which gives them greater protection.

Other AONB publications

A landsape assessment entitled The Isle of Wight Landscape (CCP 448, £8.00) was published in 1994, giving a detailed analysis of the key features of the AONB and the management pressures it faced at that time.

Extensive practical management occurs within the AONB and along the Heritage Coasts. 
 
Conservation-orientated projects include management schemes to protect vulnerable areas such as downland, the wetland Newtown Reserve and the landslip zones. Projects on heathland restoration, bog restoration, island peat research and the management of fragmented habitats such as chalk grassland and ancient woodland are helping to protect the AONB's valuable resources.
 
The character of the AONB is being conserved by projects on landscape connectivity and crop variety, and by the development of ideas outlined in the 12 landscape zones identified in the 1994 Management Plan. The downland is being targeted by the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
 
Action is also being taken to develop local distinctiveness and a sense of place as sustainable assets for green tourism in the AONB.